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100 Days – Week of Shapes – Intro

This week we are exploring shapes in quilting, specifically in modern quilting. Since we can only show seven quilts this week we will concentrate on the most popular shapes in modern quilts: squares, circles, triangles, and hexagons.

Squares
Squares are oftentimes overlooked in their importance in quilting because they are well, square. But, since many quilts rely on a block structure, squares are very key component of many quilts. Some even allow the square to take center stage with that being the only shape in the quilt. These quilts generally rely on color and arrangement and can result in very interesting and quite dynamic quilts.

Huckleberry - Modern Circle Quilt with Squares by Latifah Saafir

Triangles
Second only to squares, triangles are definitely a cornerstone shape in quilting and modern quilting is no different. They can be put together in an infinite number of combinations to create unique, fun and modern quilts. They come in many dimensions and orientations and when put together can create a variety of shapes and designs. To quilters they are called HST’s (Half Square Triangles), QST’s (Quarter Square Triangles), Equilateral Triangles, Flying Geese or just triangles.

Quilt for Nyala by Latifah Saafir

Circles
There is very little more intimidating to a new quilter than circles. But, if used properly there can be very little more satisfying than a quilt effectively executed with circles. Modern quilters have been playing around with circles and coming up with some great results. Effective use of color and negative space are two keys to creating a striking modern circle quilt and many new techniques make circles in quilts more attainable.

Perfect Puddles by Latifah Saafir

Hexagons
Aside from squares and triangles, hexagons are the only other regular shape that tessellates. This just means that it is the only other regular pattern of shapes that fits snugly together with no space in between. This results in the opportunity to create wonderful paper pieced 1” hexagon quilts as well as much larger machine pieced hexies. But, modern quilters aren’t stopping there. They are taking the hexagon to greater heights, floating them on solid backgrounds and making them out of a million tiny pieces.

Bailey's Hexies by Latifah Saafir

This week you will see seven quilts that illustrate the versatility and beauty of modern quilts based off of shapes. Oftentimes, it is the most basic shape that makes for the most striking quilt.

Musst confess the quilt shop in Holton, KS put the bee in my bonnet about the site. She is very much into the modern quilting style and also the more traditional for the customer who wants to stay traditional